Why I am striving for creativity and why you should too

It’s easy to say, “I’m not creative” or “I just don’t have a single creative bone in my body”, and with that mindset, that’s probably true. But everyone has the capacity for creativity, even if you willingly study maths. Of all things, maths is actually vital to the arts: think the golden ratio, rule of thirds, and Fibonacci sequence. Think of how science is responsible for the most beautiful things, from the whirling colours of faraway galaxies to the tiny motor proteins that walk across every cell in our bodies. Think all the way back to the early humans putting their handprints onto cave walls. Creative ability is innate to every human; the key is to know where to look for inspiration.

For broader inspiration, the original artist cannot be beaten: nature

The first place to look for inspiration for your own creativity is the creativity of other artists. It’s common to do studies of the old masters, like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, or Rubens, and of course, there is no denying its utility. However, the best way to glean inspiration from other art is to analyse it, thinking about tone, mood, specific techniques, or subjects that appeal to you. Build your relationship with and understanding of a piece, then translate it into your own work. This applies to writing, music, and films too. The key is to relate to the medium with your unique perspective, then use that to exercise your own creativity.

For broader inspiration, the original artist cannot be beaten: nature. Look in nature for movement, colour, shape, scale. The best way to do this is to go out on a walk with the purpose of looking at every detail you find, any variation in colour or in texture or anything that moves. Take pictures where you can, recording anything that catches your eye and then taking mental note of why it did so.

Relate to what you consume, and translate your perceptions of it into any medium you choose

Every night, record your own experiences of the day: emotions, events, relationships, and interactions. This practice will allow you to recall more and more of your day, and aspects which you can take and transform into something creative (although writing is already an act of creation). Inspiration can arise in dreams, or in movement. Sometimes, movement is the best way to release stagnant energy and get those creative juices flowing. And of course, if all else fails, the internet is abundant with ‘inspo’ – but be sure to use this wisely, and try not to rely on it.

The key with all of these sources is not to copy, although there can be merit to this, especially to develop technical craft. Instead, relate to what you consume, and translate your perceptions of it into any medium you choose. Creativity is not just about the end product; it’s an outlet and a tool for life.